A Life of Learning
Another Day Along the Way
Tuesday, September 04, 2007
Another day,
We are entering the second month - by name, not by weeks or days - of this year's school experience. Learning, studying, and facing change, we frequently hear that our educational experience should never end. Though hours are reached and degrees are given, the most effective people choose to live a lifetime as students.
This week, some students might feel ready to call it quits. And in life, many of us have already stopped this experience of learning. Reading, writing, asking, researching, daring ourselves, seeking understanding: Can it be a lifetime endeavor rather than a short term accomplishment?
I'm rereading one of my favorite books by one of my favorite authors. Eugene Peterson's reflection on the life of David, Leap Over a Wall, guides readers into a world of narratives which alert and inform. Sort of like learning, isn't it? A lot like living, isn't it? Little boy David, musician David, giant-killer David, poet David, warrior David, King David, sinner David, man-after-God's-heart David: his lifetime of learning and experiencing real life speak to us all.
We read and pray his poetic confessions. We debate and discuss his reasoning. We marvel at his honesty. We relate to his journal entrees of frustration. We long to live close to God as David did.
And we wonder if that same God might kill a Goliath through us, defeat a foe through us, or change a world through us.
I've seen many people begin well. Those early sprints pass the crowd. I've also watched many slow down quickly. Or quit all together. From so much to nothing. From stars to fans. From champions to quitters.
I've seen others who run - in pain, sweating, hearing no one cheer for them, feeling like they are in last place - to the end. I've seen many finish well.
Peterson writes: "It's not unusual for any of us to do things that are quite good. But it is unusual to continue and persevere. The difficulties aren't for the most part external but internal - finding the energy and vision to keep the effort going."
When we feel like quitting, let's continue. When we feel like giving up, let's persevere. When we feel like we've already done our part and it's time for someone else, let us endure.
Rather than counting the days, let's count the cost. And, if we ask, maybe a Stronger Power will enable us to finish, to finish well.
Along the way,
Chris Maxwell
Powerful Statement: For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.
(Romans 15:4, NIV)
Tuesday, September 04, 2007
Another day,
We are entering the second month - by name, not by weeks or days - of this year's school experience. Learning, studying, and facing change, we frequently hear that our educational experience should never end. Though hours are reached and degrees are given, the most effective people choose to live a lifetime as students.
This week, some students might feel ready to call it quits. And in life, many of us have already stopped this experience of learning. Reading, writing, asking, researching, daring ourselves, seeking understanding: Can it be a lifetime endeavor rather than a short term accomplishment?
I'm rereading one of my favorite books by one of my favorite authors. Eugene Peterson's reflection on the life of David, Leap Over a Wall, guides readers into a world of narratives which alert and inform. Sort of like learning, isn't it? A lot like living, isn't it? Little boy David, musician David, giant-killer David, poet David, warrior David, King David, sinner David, man-after-God's-heart David: his lifetime of learning and experiencing real life speak to us all.
We read and pray his poetic confessions. We debate and discuss his reasoning. We marvel at his honesty. We relate to his journal entrees of frustration. We long to live close to God as David did.
And we wonder if that same God might kill a Goliath through us, defeat a foe through us, or change a world through us.
I've seen many people begin well. Those early sprints pass the crowd. I've also watched many slow down quickly. Or quit all together. From so much to nothing. From stars to fans. From champions to quitters.
I've seen others who run - in pain, sweating, hearing no one cheer for them, feeling like they are in last place - to the end. I've seen many finish well.
Peterson writes: "It's not unusual for any of us to do things that are quite good. But it is unusual to continue and persevere. The difficulties aren't for the most part external but internal - finding the energy and vision to keep the effort going."
When we feel like quitting, let's continue. When we feel like giving up, let's persevere. When we feel like we've already done our part and it's time for someone else, let us endure.
Rather than counting the days, let's count the cost. And, if we ask, maybe a Stronger Power will enable us to finish, to finish well.
Along the way,
Chris Maxwell
Powerful Statement: For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.
(Romans 15:4, NIV)
12 Comments:
I often feel like quitting. But God helps me. I need his help now.
I'm a quitter. No one would know it because I 'play the game' well but I quit a long time ago. And not only have I quit spiritually, I have died but my body is just too dumb to know it so it keeps breathing.
If there weren't so many other so called 'Christians' running in the same race and telling me how much they love me and care about me while they tear my heart out and mutilate it before they put it back, it would be a whole lot easier to make it to the finish line.
We must endure to the end. He that endures to the end shall be saved. Too many people give up. I feel like it sometimes too. But we can't give up.
Thanks for your honesty.
Thanks CMax. I am really trying to endure. Pray that I follow through with the plans God has for me. I've stopped short a lot. We miss you.
Living is certianly a time of learning. Not sure about my grades of life now though.
ac
If we stop learning, we stop living. Living is more than just breathing or fulfilling our dreams. Rather, it is the pursuit of those dreams wherein lies the learning. So, if we quit, we cease to live. His grace is sufficient - in all circumstances.
Cyn
As a softball player I know what it means to persevere. I'm a walk on at EC and have to push my self. I am used to being the person the girls come to for help with stuf on the fild. When we started practice two weeks ago I still had that mentality. I quickly relized that I have a lot to learn, and turn to the girls and coach to learn it. I'm not used to the intensity of practice and have moments every day when I fill like stoping. The desire to be part of the team, however, keeps me going. While in my walk with Christ I never realy leave student mode the rest is the same. I'm a walk on who gets tired and discoraged, but the desire to be on the team and a lot of encuregement from the coach keeps me going. When I don't know how to do something or what to do I go to my teamates for advice.
God seems to keep putting me in tough places. Pray I am able to keep going and not quit.
Pray I get that "energy" to keep my faith going. I like that quote you included.
Thank you for this encouraging message. You are right. Sometimes this journey is hard and we often feel like quitting but with God we can make it. There is nothing to hard for Him. The key is to rely on His strength. Thank you.
This was very encouraging to me.
Apathy, here lately, has been plaguing me. It seems that I am not quite as functional as normal...
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